14 Mar

Best Blackcurrants For Blackcurrant Juice And How To Choose Them

Blackcurrants are packed with Vitamin C and the juice has many medical advantages, which is why many juicers love them. They can pose some difficulties during juicing, however, as they can easily clog the mechanism of some machines. It’s best to juice blackcurrants at a low speed or use a manual juicer.

What are the Best Blackcurrants for Juicing?

Blackcurrants are a summer berry that somewhat resembles a dark cherry. They become available in mid June. The most common varieties for juicing are the Ben Avon and Ben Dorain. These hybrids have a higher concentration of Vitamin C than other varieties, making them some of the best blackcurrants for juicing.

Blackcurrants are not as easily accessible in a grocery store as many other types of fruit, so you may need to visit a health food store or find someone who grows them locally. They are more common in England than America, but they are fairly easy to grow and it’s possible to grow your own in the US.

Most commercial blackcurrants are grown in New York, Connecticut and Oregon, so they are easiest to obtain in those states. As they gain in popularity for their health benefits, they may become more popular in markets across the country.

Best blackcurrants for juicing

How to Choose Blackcurrants at Market

If you’re picking off the vine, the easiest way to test the ripeness of a blackcurrant is to taste it. They sweeten as they ripen, so once the fruit is sweet enough it can be harvested. Blackcurrants are harvested in bunches, with each branch of the shrub being cut away to trim the plant and harvest the berries. All berries on a single branch should be roughly equal in ripeness to each other.

If you’re shopping in the market, you should look for firm fruits without soft spots or blemishes. They should be very dark in color; a light berry will not be sweet enough and was picked immaturely. The berry should not be too soft for the touch. If you’re buying it in a package and cannot test its firmness, base your purchase on the berry’s color and lack of any visible blemishes.

07 Mar

Blackcurrant Juice Side Effects – Can You Drink Too Much Of It?

The recommended dose of blackcurrent juice is 1.5 liters per day, because safety has not been reliably demonstrated when this juice is ingested in large quantities. Some individuals report blackcurrant juice side effects, and the juice is not recommended at all for persons suffering from some medical conditions.

Diarrhea

Individuals with sensitive digestion may report diarrhea or mild gastrointestinal upset upon drinking large quantities of this juice.

Do You Suffer From High Blood Pressure?

Drinking more than 1.5 liters a day is not recommended for people who suffer from high blood pressure as blackcurrent juice contains gamma-linolenic acid, which can alter blood pressure and counteract the effect of blood pressure medications.

blackcurrant juice side effects

Blackcurrant Juice Side Effects For People That Suffer From Blood Clotting Disorders And Venous Disorders

Blackcurrant juice contains anticoagulants, so it is not recommended for persons who suffer from blood clotting disorders, such as hemophiliacs. Similarly, the active ingredients in blackcurrant juice may increase peripheral blood flow and circulation, so it should not be consumed by those with venous disorders.

Other Negative Interactions

In addition, blackcurrent juice side effects have been reported in those taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), as the juice can negatively interact with this medication.

Epilepsy

Blackcurrant juice side effects have been reported in those with epilepsy, as the juice may interact poorly with medications prescribed for this disorder.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as children and the elderly, should monitor their intake as immunity and bodily functions may be compromised or underdeveloped in these demographic groups.

24 Jan

Blackcurrant Nutrition Facts

Blackcurrant Nutrition Facts

Betaine 0 mg
Calcium 61,6 mg
Calories 70,5 Calories
Carbohydrate 17,2 g
Carotene-a 0 mcg
Carotene-ß 0 mcg
Choline 0 mg
Copper 0,1 mg
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Fluoride 0 mcg
Folate 0 mcg
Iron 1,7 mg
Lutein-zeaxanthin 0 mcg
Lycopene  mcg
Magnesium 26,9 mg
Manganese 0,3 mg
Niacine 0,3 mg
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) 7950 µ mol TE
Pantothenic Acid 0,4 mg
Phosphorus 66,1 mg
Phytonutrients 0 mcg
Potassium 361 mg
Protein 1,6 g
Pyridoxine Vit. B6 0,066 mg
Riboflavin Vit. B2 0,1 mg
Selenium 0 mcg
Sodium 2,2 mg
Sugar 0 g
Thiamine 0,1 mg
Total Fat 0,5 g
Vitamin A 258 IU
Vitamin B6 0,1 mg
Vitamin C 203 mg
Vitamin E 1,1 mg
Vitamin K 0 mcg
Water 91,8 g
Zinc 0,3 mg

15 Dec

The Amazing Health Benefits of Blackcurrant Juice

Black Currants are among the many berries that are very high in nutrient content and are excellent for your health. Black currants consumed as juice are even more potent and offer powerful health benefits for the conscious consumer. Many people have heard about this amazing juice but are unaware of exactly what the health benefits of blackcurrant juice are. By having a basic understanding of the advantages of consuming black currant juice, it is possible to experience an increase in health and energy levels for optimal wellbeing.

Health benefits of blackcurrant juice

Excellent Source of Vitamin C and Potassium

Black currants pack a powerful nutritional punch and have been used for centuries to cure many human ailments. Black currants are an excellent source of Vitamin C as well as Potassium. The Potassium levels in black currants are shown to be twice as much as the content found in bananas and the Vitamin C levels exceed that of oranges by four times. They are rich in many phytonutrients, antioxidants and vitamins.  Their antioxidant power is double that of the more well-known blueberries. In addition black currants contain a very rare Omega-6 essential fatty acid called Gamma-Linoleic Acid which is excellent for your health.

Main Health Benefits of Blackcurrant Juice: Kidney Stones, Urinary Tract Infections, Vision Disorders, Heart Disease, and Alzheimer’s Disease

The main health benefits that have been associated with the consumption of black currants include the treatment of kidney stones, urinary tract infections, vision disorders, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to its multifaceted healing benefits, there is new research being done on black currant’s curative effects in regards to preventing liver cancer. The primary antioxidant called anthocyanin is found in black currants and this antioxidant has been known to help prevent liver cancer which is also one of the most common cancers in the world.

The black currant fruit can also be juiced for easy consumption which will yield the same nutritional benefits as the fruit itself. The fruit juice contains anthocyanin as well as a substance called cassis polysaccharide which has a combatant effect on toxic cells such as tumors. The black currant can be juiced but should not be heated as high temperatures reduce its nutritional value.

Health Benefits of Blackcurrant Juice In History

Although the health benefits of black currant juice may seem like recent findings, the fruit has been used for its health benefits for quite a number of years. Blackcurrants were used in Europe, Russia and North America for their health increasing properties. The Native Americans used blackcurrants to aid in their treatments of stomach pains, uterine discomforts as well as kidney problems. In addition, for the earlier part of the 19th and 20th centuries, European doctors used this powerful fruit as a remedy for scurvy and other infection such as urinary tract infections, inflammations and intestinal illnesses. German physicians used blackcurrants to help treat bladder stones and liver ailments as well as for use in lung disorders.

Antioxidant Power

The health benefits of black currant juice are many. By far the biggest appeal is the antioxidant power found in these tiny purple berries. The system used to measure the antioxidant strength of individual fruits is called TEAC (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity). According to the findings from this system, the antioxidant power found within currant is more than twice that of any other fruits. The antioxidants in black currant juice help to fight free radicals found within the body that could be potentially harmful to your health. They work to stop any potential damage before the free radicals can fully take effect and harm the healthy cells in your body.

Potassium

The potassium content in black currant juice is equivalent to 361mg making black currants an excellent source of potassium. The potassium found in currants offer vital nutrients to your body and can help to combat high blood pressure and stroke. It is also known to help maintain a healthy heart as and digestive system. The daily recommended intake of potassium is 4,700 and black currants are an excellent source.

The health benefits of blackcurrant juice are one of the main reasons for drinking this delicious beverage. The dark, rich purple berries are not only delicious but they have a host of health inducing properties that contribute to your overall wellbeing. Blackcurrant juice is a nutritious drink that is so powerful, it is being researched for its cancer preventative properties. By making blackcurrant juice a regular part of your diet, you too can reap the many benefits found in this potent fruit.